R.I.P. Guys.

[anotheoldgit]

A post was entered on Wednesday titled R.I.P Elizabeth Taylor.

Nothing wrong with that of course but I have just read that two more young lives have been unnecessarily lost in Afghanistan.

It makes one wonder if we have our priorities right, on one hand a 79 year old actress dies of natural causes, and on the other hand two young lives have been cut short only one week before they due to return home to their loved ones, yet I don't suppose anyone would have left a tribute to these two Irish Guards, if I hadn't bothered.

It make one think, or at least it should.

My heart felt feelings go out to their families and friends, and may these brave boys rest in peace.

[jackthehat]

Well done, AOG.

You have managed to sully 3 deaths with just one petulant post.

[missnemesis]

I'm with you there aog.

[Bobbisox]

I think we all feel this way about our servicemen AOG but Miss Taylor was a world known person so it was inevitable her sad death would be on the News and in here

My heart goes out to the family of these two brave soldiers

[ummmm]

I agree with your sentiments AOG...but I only heard the news this morning.

[andy-hughes]

Sadly, deaths in combat are now so much a part of the fabric of our daily lives, that they barely rfate a mention. Soldiers are just that - soldiers. To anyone outside their family and friends, they are simply names - sad but true.

Ms. Taylor however is the last genuine 'star' from a time when being a celebrity really ment something, and as such, her passing attracts a lot of news comment.

To assume that because the media make more of the death of one than the other two in any way dimishies the sadness, or the tragedy of circumstances in the case of the soldiers, is facile and a knee-jerk reaction.

Oh, and since by definition, the two soldiers must have been over eighteen in order to be in a combat zone, they died doing the job for which they were trained and paid, which again, does not diminish the tragedy and pointlessness of their loss - but lets accord them the respect of referring to them as 'men' which is what they were, and courageous men at that, and not get misty-eyed and refer to modern soldiers as 'boys and girls' which is patronising and disrepsectful.

[anotheoldgit]

///and not get misty-eyed and refer to modern soldiers as 'boys and girls' which is patronising and disrepsectful.///

To call them Boys and Girls, is in no way patronising or disrespectful, it is a term of endearment often used to describe troops in service of their country.

It was used very much so during the Second World War, i.e.during radio broadcasts to the troops etc., "To all our boys and girls out there", you must have heard that, even if you are too young to have been there, at least in various films etc?

[rov1100]

And to think the earliest we're likely to pull out is 2014. Simple extrapolation would mean at least another 100 British deaths.

[smudge]

Awfully sorry AOG - that thread on News was posted by me: R.I.P. Elizabeth Taylor.

I do of course still have feelings for anyone else who loses their lives, including soldiers, etc., but because there are so many of them sadly being killed on a daily basis, we'd need a category just for them. Maybe not a bad idea.

R.I.P. & bless them ALL.

[pa___ul3]

one could easily go further and mention all the tragic accidents that lead to deaths all over the country every day. It's a real shame.
People have a right to wish condolences for losses of whomever they like, one should not 'outweigh' another because it's always objective.
Those who want to post R.I.P Elizabeth Taylor would most likely do so because she had a direct impact on their life whereas these soldiers probably haven't.
I do see the honesty in your gesture though, AOG, and it's a very respectful one.

[andy-hughes]

Fair point paul - but you see the problem is, AOG appears to think he's the only one with respect for 'our boys and girls' - the rest of us appear as shallow plebs who know nothing about anything.

[McMouse]

aog.....agree with your sentiments regarding unnecessary loss of young lives in Afghanistan. The 79 year old actress died of heart failure following years of drug and alcohol abuse......hardly natural causes.

[pa___ul3]

oh I know Andy, I think, without being disrespectful to the soldiers out there, AOG has more respect for them than I do, and I think he deserves commending for his support and respect. I do see the point he seems to be trying to make about the mindless adoration of celebrity in some parts of the media also, so when this situation comes up it's an easy argument to make. That is the nature of the beast though, the paper's play to different audiences it's as simple as thet.
However for personal messages I think it's completely wrong to say, essentially, that you should care more about this person's death than that person's death, there should be no 'high horses' when it comes to paying respects to the deceased.

[andy-hughes]

Absolutely paul - respect is an admireable concept - constantly occupying the moral high ground however, is not.

[sandyRoe]

The Irish Guardsmen who died in Afghanistan were professional soldiers. They will be missed by their families, friends, and comrades.
I agree, their lives were unnecessarily lost in a futile war. Is Afghanistan any better now than it was when we went there on the coat tails of the Americans?
To post a comment on the death of a film star is in no way disrespecting the sacrifice that the soldiers made.

[andy-hughes]

sandy ... sandy ...(sigh) ... remember where you are ... this is the NEWS thread, where soliders are boys and girls and get appropriate respect only from the sitting tenent, and the rest of us simply pad out the space until it;s time to be put in our place.

hang around - it won't be long ...

[Sqad]

AOG......I agree with your sentiments however, in this world, if you are a unknown to but a few, then you die unknown to but a few, however if you live your life on the world stage, then you die with such worldly accolade.

[tamborine]

Unfortunately its part of the territory when you join the forces. Lots have relations killed in foreign fields and some have relations who have killed in foreign fields - it happens in war.

[sp1814]

Elizabeth Taylor's passing will sadden anyone who has been entertained by her films.

To compare her passing to two young soldiers, or even reference the two soldiers is not a valid stance, because we simply cannot 'grieve' to the same extent. We know nothing about them. They mean (with the greatest respect) nothing to us. They are complete strangers.

Sad, yes - but if someone tells you that John Major has died, and then tells you that Sergent John Carter has died, who will provoke the greater reaction?

The person you've heard of.